Meet Crystal Laman | San Diego Mix Media Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Laman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, what makes you happy? Why?
My joy comes each day as I begin my day in my art studio. I feel so happy and grateful to finally follow my dream and my passion.
I retired in 2018 after a very successful career as a certified Project Manager in IT.
I graduated in 1981 with a BFA from the University of New Mexico, but upon graduation I wondered how I would make a living. Also my son was born in 1983 and as every mother, I wanted the best for my son, so I worked hard for 37 years.
All our needs were met and then some but when I retired at 65, I knew it was my time. My time to pick up my art. To rediscover the magic that happens when I paint and draw the images I see around me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think I have always been an artist. My art teacher at Boulder High School in Colorado kept me out of trouble by teaching me how to draw. We spent hours drawing still life to the music of the Rolling Stones. After High School I attended Boston School of Art but it was too commercial for me and left to come back West to study art at Colorado University in Boulder.
I finally settled in Albuquerque at UNM and graduated with Honors with a BFA. My focus was photography, drawing and printmaking.
Finally, when I retired, I took up painting for the first time. I discovered color, texture and mark making and fell in love. My passion is to take an image that I see magic in, like the moon or a dog or a Pelican or figure and paint that with the hope that I can express the same happiness I feel when I view these images.
I still have so much to learn about my craft. I have such a curiosity and interest in so many diverse art techniques that I have yet to narrow down any one style. I think it is the exploration and play that sparks my passion.
I have learned to stay true to my heart and not to doubt myself so much and most importantly- not to compare myself with other artists.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A normal week in my life consists of working in my art studio and going to the gym or swimming. Weekends are where I enjoy an active social life.
If I had a friend fly in on a Friday night, here would be my ideas for the weekend:
After picking someone up at the airport, around sundown, we would head for C level for Happy Hour to enjoy one of the most magnificent views of San Diego. While enjoying Chef Debra Scotts “Pepita and Sesame Crusted Brie” and “Pot Stickers” the sun will have set and the lights of the city scape will begin to twinkle and light the sky.
Next, for something unique, we’ll head for the Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero for a B movie (not to be taken seriously) overlooking the city and snuggle under a blanket and drink hot chocolate.
Rising early on Sat, we can head over to Mission Bay and rent a kayak at Catamaran Hotel where they also serve a good lunch. The King Tides are in so around 4pm you want to head to Carlsbad to enjoy the tide pools and watch children’s joy discovering a small octopus and sea urchins. Finish off the evening with live music at Coyote Grill in Carlsbad Village and some good Carnitas.
Sunday is a day of rest where we can walk a block to Rancho Bernardo Winery and have some great coffee at Manzanita Roasting Coffee.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I began my search as to how to reinvent myself as an artist, I applied for a scholarship to Anderson Ranch in Aspen Colorado. I was awarded the scholarship and studied for a week at this artist retreat, with one of my favorite artists: Holly Roberts. I grew and learned a lot from Holly who taught me photo transfer. I always make my best paintings working with Holly.
I also searched for where I could learn and grow locally and discovered a talented woman who held a Mix Media class in her home every Monday morning in La Mesa. Thank you, Lisa Bebi, for your generous support of artists in our community. Lisa now teaches at the Athenaeum in La Jolla.
I also found classes by local artists like Denise Cerro who is an outstanding Mix Media artist in Liberty Station. And lately a huge thank you to Gigi Woodward who has an incredible vision of bringing artists together for community, working, classes, growing, joy and laughter. I don’t think we as artists can work in isolation. Gigi is opening Woodward Contemporary in Old Town in the next few months. Thank you, Gigi, for this wonderful opportunity.

Instagram: @crystallaman_art

Facebook: Crystal Laman

Image Credits
La Jolla Pelican
Chocolate Moose
Buffalo
Fiesta Island
Opah
By The Light Of The Silvery Moon
Moon Over Botswana,
San Diego Cowgirl